Information about books for Children/Tweens/YA, with a little bit of writing thrown in. Explore new books. Discover new authors. Uncover pieces of an author's life. All with a focus on getting Young Readers to read and write more.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Meet Author Chloe Jon Paul

Today we welcome author Chloe Jon Paul. Her list of accomplishments follow her Philosophy of Life: Find a Need and Fill It.

Four published books since 2003: 3 non-fiction, 1 fiction

Title of Ms. Maryland Senior America 2003

Recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship Seminars Abroad award to South Africa, 1996

Writing for children never was my first choice. I think that with all my writing, the impetus for me has been living my philosophy of life: find a need and fill it.

What types of books do you like to read?

I like to read spiritual and self-help books, but when it comes to fiction, I’ve enjoyed authors Paul Coelho, Carolyn Chute, Rebecca Wells, and so many others. Currently, I have been reading Melissa Foster’s novels as well.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I am quite engaged in volunteer work with the Good Samaritan Project, hospice with our dying veterans, and helping at a homeless shelter. I also like working out at Planet fitness, traveling, and learning something new.

Tell us about The Girl Who Did Not Like Her Name, and how the story came to be.

As a teacher I met students who didn’t like their names . After I wrote the first draft, I actually used it to help a little girl who was having trouble with her name. I put the manuscript aside because I couldn’t find an illustrator that I liked and went on to other writing projects. Last year, however, I found the illustrator whom I could work with. So that is how The Girl Who Did Not Like Her Name came to be.

Sneak peak at The Girl Who Did Not Like Her Name:

Alessandra Theresa Petrucci doesn’t like her name one bit. Whenshe was little, grown-ups would say, “My! My! Such a BIG namefor such a little girl.”

Her mother insisted on calling her Alessandra. “Sandra or Sandyjust isn’t right for you,” she would say. “No, Alessandra is just fine!”Her mother insisted that everyone else call her that too.Last year when she had started first grade and learned to print hername, she couldn’t fit her full name across the paper. Her letterswere too big and clumsy yet.

“You have a lovely name,” her teacher had said. “When yourprinting gets better, you’ll be able to write smaller. Maybe youcould leave out your middle name for now.”

“My name is almost as long as the whole alphabet!” Alessandra Theresa wailed. Her teacher gives her permission to use her initials and last name when using the computer. It doesn’t completely solve her problem but she is somewhat relieved. It even gives her an idea for another solution and young readers will howl with laughter at her friend Mary Jane’s reaction to the idea.

She knows that she was named after her great-great grandmother but her response to that is “I think that’s dumb! Why do I have to have the name of somebody who’s dead? She wasn’t even famous!”

Alessandra spends a lot of time trying to figure out how to change her name or at least shorten it but when she visits her grandmother during summer vacation, something unexpected and wonderful happens!

Young readers will be delighted and fascinated with what Alessandra Theresa discovers when she climbs up to the attic of her grandmother’s house. Later, when her grandmother asks her to tell her about the problem she has been having, she matter-of-factly replies, “Oh, that –it’s not a problem anymore!”

What makes Alessandra Theresa Petrucci change her mind about her name?Read The Girl Who Did Not Like Her Name and learn what happens.Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

I have 3 adult books on the market as well. Two are non-fiction and one is fiction. The novel won the Bronze Award in the Readers Favorite competition for 2012 and has been written into a screenplay by screenwriter Don MacNab.Readers can find detailed information about my books on my web site:www.chloejonpaul.com.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

It will be my memoirs and mostly blog post articles. I have another book ready for publication but it requires extensive artwork. The title is The Untold Story of the Alphabet. It is a blend of linguistics and phonics for someone who has trouble learning to read.

9 comments:

Hi Cheryl and Chloe thanks for posting a great interview. Chloe your take on life and writing is inspiring. Congrats on the readers favourite award, I will pop over to check it out now. Thanks for linking into the kid lit blog hop and I hope Cheryl you are healing well. Cheers Julie Grasso

This is the book that we read tonight! We are almost done! The kids are really enjoying it. Great to get a bit of insight on Chloe. I really enjoy your interviews Cheryl. Thanks for linking into the Kid Lit Blog Hop once again. :)

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About Me

I’m a retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, my profession introduced me to writings and authors from times long past. Through my studies and teaching, I fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, I hope to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through my Tales and Legends for Reluctant Readers set in these worlds.
I also conduct Medieval Writing Workshops for local elementary/middle schools.